Avatar Extras (Book One: Water)

Avatar Extras was an event hosted by Nicktoons in which episodes of Avatar: The Last Airbender were shown along with a series of pop-up "extras", in the form of on-screen text bubbles, which gave facts and humorous comments. The extras were written by Joshua Hamilton and Katie Mattila.

The information provided by this event is slightly regarded as canon, though it is hard to differentiate between what is intended to be humor and what is intended to be factual. Regardless, Avatar Extras has helped the expansion of topics and subjects that were only briefly introduced during the series by various means, such as providing official terminology as well as specifying pieces of information and the exact age of certain characters.

Below is a list comprised of trivia and information released by Avatar Extras on episodes of the first book.

Fun fact: the first and second episodes were originally written as a one-hour event.

Banishment was a popular punishment in the old days. Today, being grounded is a popular punishment. Also, no Internet.

When a scene is filmed at sunset or sunrise, it's referred to as the "golden hour". It has to do with the color of the sky. In animation, scenes at sunset are referred to as the "golden drawing". Just kidding.

Season One starts at the South Pole and eventually ends at the North Pole. Think of it like bookends ... or an Avatar sandwich.

Airbenders' tattoos are based off the natural markings on flying bison. Except not as big.

Avatar Trivia: The writers almost did an episode based on the idea that Momo was the reincarnated Monk Gyatso. Other story ideas that didn't make the cut include: learning about Aang's parents, and an entire episode where Sokka and Aang are handcuffed together.

All four temples are designed to harness the natural power of the wind.

Before the series ends, Aang will visit all the air temples. *Spoiler alert: one of them will be inhabited ... but with who?

Opening this door (the door to the Avatar statue room) also requires wind power. Sokka power won't do.

Even the doorbells use air.

More screenplay terminology: A separate story that parallels the A-Story is known as the B-Story.

Firebending is naturally an aggressive style, like fire itself. Maybe this is why many firebenders are so "hot headed."

Some of the statues are more than a thousand years old. In fact, every generation of airbenders carves a new one.

The headpiece on Roku was actually given to him by Fire LordSozin. Neat, huh?

The shushing is also making a sound.

Flying lemurs were originally used by the Air Nomads as a working animal. They were trained to fetched their staffs. The creators even contemplated a shot of Momo fetching a staff in this episode, raising the question: "Who trained Momo?" But in the end, they opted against it.

Aang's got mad skills. Sokka's just mad.

Sarcastic laugh - key for any villain.

Arrogance - also a good villain characteristic.

Agni Kai gets its name from the Sanskrit word Agni- which means fire, and the word Kai, Japanese for meeting. Therefore, Agni Kai means Fire Meeting.

If Aang could hear the soundtrack he'd probably know something bad was about to happen.

Sokka's pretty good at saying the wrong thing at the wrong time.

Evoking the power of the Avatar sends a signal all over the world. Not unlike Batman's Bat Signal.

Aang is having an F-3 Avatar State vortex, with winds up to 125 miles per hour.

Basics include: A good stance, and good breathing techniques.

This fight foreshadows a bigger showdown between Zuko and Zhao in the season finale.

Never underestimate the power of surprise.

Commander Zhao is notorious for having bad balance.

Zuko is a tormented character. He is always walking the line between right and wrong. It's a theme that weighs heavy on him throughout the series.

Uncle is polite even when he chastises someone.

Aang's vortex is now an F-4.

Finding out you're the last airbender: not so good. Getting a hug from the girl you like: not so bad.

In a later episode, Aang finds a way to speak to Roku on the winter solstice.

A circle with a square in the middle is a common Earth Nation design. In fact, even the Earth Kingdom money uses it.

Malicious destruction of cabbages is a misdemeanor in most states.

Nervous yelp. Pleading stare. Just confused.

This room is lit by emerald stones. The stones are a common light source used in the Earth Kingdom. They make everything appear greener than normal. But, people in the Earth Kingdom love to wear green. Go figure.

Kangaroo Island is not a real Avatar location. But Duck Island is.

This episode was written by John o' Bryan. Other episodes written by John o' Bryan include "The Siege of the North, Part 1" and "The Great Divide".

Running with spears is the number one way to lose an eye.

Fact: Iceberg lettuce offers little nutritional value.

Challenges are a common device used in kung fu shows. But why do they always have to be deadly?

Aang is a glass-half-full type of guy.

The camera adds 10 pounds.

This scene was animated as if shot through a fish-eye lens.

Airbenders are well known as the loudest snorers in the world, second only to flying bison.

The correct answer to this question is "It looks great!", especially if your wife asks.

Airbenders are extremely light on their feet. Maybe that's why they're such good dancers. Aang shows off his dance moves in the Season 3 episode "The Headband".

Fun Fact: Jennamite was named after Nickelodeon executive Jenna Luttell.

A coffee mug or keychain is considered a good souvenir. A ring that encases you in stone is usually considered a bad souvenir. But it does have a nice color.

Omashu has many underground caverns. But this is the only one with a waterfall.

Tail wagging- a sign of happiness. Another sign of happiness: licking.

The growing crystal is considered a ticking clock; it adds a sense of urgency.

These two characters are loosely based on the two show creators. Some even say the characters Zuko and Aang are loosely based on the two show creators. If you saw a picture of them, you'd probably be able to guess which character goes with which creator.

This isn't the last time Aang will be in the center of an earthbending arena.

Initially, Bumi was supposed to have the body of a frail old man, the idea being that you don't have to have muscles to be a great earthbender, but it was decided that he looks cooler with abs.

Earthbending is based on a style of kung fu called Hung Gar. Hung Gar Kung Fu uses strong stances, rooting the fighter to the ground.

Next season reveals that badgermoles were actually the first earthbenders. Badger moles are naturally rooted to the ground because they are so heavy.

King Bumi is often considered the best earthbender in the world. He can move boulders with just his eyebrow. It's true. Watch next season.

King Bumi is a key character in the finale. He is even part of a secret society with some surprising members.

King Bumi is destroying his own arena. The rules are: There are no rules.

Goofs

Avatar Extras for "The Boy in the Iceberg" states that Aang's first appearance was in the opening sequence for the first episode, but in fact he did not appear in it; there was a special different introduction for the first episode.

Avatar Extras for "The Avatar Returns" claims that Zuko was originally going to be the love interest for Katara, but in "Sozin's Comet: The Final Battle" Michael and Bryan state that they never intended for Zuko and Katara to be together.

Avatar Extras erroneously labels "The Great Divide" as the first episode that mentions Ba Sing Se, but it is first mentioned in "Winter Solstice, Part 1: The Spirit World".

Avatar Extras for "Winter Solstice, Part 2: Avatar Roku" labels the weapon on Zuko's ship as a trebuchet when it is in fact a catapult.

Avatar Extras for " Winter Solstice, Part 2: Avatar Roku" states that Appa is the only flying bison left in the world. However, it was later revealed that after the end of the War, Aang discovered a whole new herd of sky bison.[1]

Avatar Extras for "The Deserter" mentions that firebending is the opposite of airbending, but firebending is in fact the opposite of waterbending. The opposite of airbending is earthbending.

Avatar Extras for "The Deserter" mistakenly spells Lin Yee's name as "Lin Ye".

Avatar Extras for "The Siege of the North, Part 2" states that Yue's flashback as a baby is the only scene where Yue's mother is seen. However, she is seen again later in the flashback at the Spirit Oasis, when Yue is cured.

Avatar Extras for "The Siege of the North, Part 2" states at the end of the episode that when Iroh suggests Zuko rest and Zuko agrees to do so, this is the first time Zuko has taken his uncle's advice. This is wrong, however, as in the "The Southern Air Temple" when Zuko fought Zhao, Iroh told Zuko to "break his roots", which he ended up doing, resulting in his victory.